Hi my names Dan and I've got a yellow bellied slider called Bowser. I bought him as a baby about 8 months ago and the guy in the shop told me to put him in a tank with a place to get out and feed him shrimps and that's it!!

Last week I went with a mate to buy 2 turtles for his grandkids and the shop I got bowser from had closed down so we went elswhere. In this other shop he started telling me we need water heaters, a different diet to what bowsers been eating, filters and basking bulbs so I'm here to see how the pro's do it (that's you guys hopefully)

So.... Bowser now has a UVB T8 Bulb in his tank and a water heater/filter and he seems a lot livelier than he used to do. I've ordered a piece of cork bark for a basking area and an IR Heat bulb along with a clip on holder for it. He's also been eating Reptomin pellets and has had a calcium block put in his water.

Most of this info has come from this site (especially the corkbark basking area) so I wanted to say thanks, maybe get to know some of you guys and show off my Bowser to you as well (once I figure out how to upload pics)

From your post 8/15 you have him 8 months and was on all shrimp diet , then changed some with the pellets better. Most only use the shrimp as a treat and maybe only once a month. Pellets are better and more complete like a brand "Omega One" .

The photo ... You need to adjust his diet even more ! He's almost a juvenile and not quite a baby any more ! Veggies should be in his diet now (30-50%) , at each stage of a turtles growth diet changes ! Up to one year high quality protein and some veggies . Juvenile's 30-50% veggies with a well balanced mix of quality protein. Adult's 70% veggies with protein every other day. And the head rule or me the 2/3's head rule. Better to under feed than over feed for slow even growth and health !

Area behind and around legs are very chubby / fat .Scutes are pyramiding.Has some retained scutes.Growth line wide.Shell very bumpy.

This is from over feeding and must be adjusted for it's health. Hopefully with a few sheds the shell can adjust over time. The carapace should be smooth ! Not bumpy. Turtle is growing way to fast ! More time and attention should be given to it's diet !

Above issues will just complicate thing's when it sheds next.

Babies shed more when young do to rapid growing stage but should not be this over feed / fat ! When was the last time it shed ?

Ah no I feel terrible now. Last time I found loose scutes was actually yesterday. Just the one though. To answer the other questions....

How big is your turtle? Just over an inch from head to tail in the shellHow long have you had it? 8 months

What is the water temperature? 26CDid you use a thermometer? YesAre you using a water heater? YesHow much water is in there? Not a clue. It's roughly about 30 ltrsAre you using a water conditioner? I use dechlorinated tap water. Is this okay?Are you using any filtration? Only a mechanical filter for now but will be building a canister filter this week with Bio and Mechanical filtration.

What is the basking temperature? 24 - 30C ambiant air. It's hot all year here but I've got an IR heat bulb on its way to stabilise the basking temps.Is there a basking light? Yes a T8 UVB bulb running the length of the tank about 30CMs from the water level.Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? YesWhat kind is it or what is it made out of? It's acrylic with fake grass on the ramp and top. I have cork bark coming too to make a larger area for him to bask on.Is there a UVB light? Yes

What have you been trying to feed it? Mostly gammarus but recently switched to pellets. Will add greens now I know he needs them too.When was the last time your turtle ate? This morning. His appetite is good.

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 86ltr half full of water. I'm looking for a bigger tank or a way to make a ATBAIs the tank near a window? NoIs the tank in a room with a lot of activity? No

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes and all other sections. Was awake til 3am reading them all last night.Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Not sure but don't think so

Fixing this will take time and maybe several sheds but can fix with good care ! BUT that diet needs to change NOW !!! Most beginners just keep feeding because they beg , Wrong ! When we make an animal captive it's our job to offer correct habitat and well varied balance nutritious diet for the health. Turtles can live some 40-50 years if well taken care of .

First what are you using to take temps? I have a draw full of crappy digitals and floating type. Only very accurate type I found is the IR type.Ever see hanging in a LPS all the temps are different on most all in store. Hell which one is correct if any !Yes you have lights but need to find a way to have consistent temperatures. Placement is so very important for UVA (heat) and UVB distance is a must !!! Different fixtures work better for that because most require a different placement. Water heater needs to be set for 80* for babies. your 78.8* is not bad if consistent ?Basking need to be a consistent 90* max. the 75-86* is that from day to night or is you basking area so big it varies ? If so that's great , sometimes a turtle just wants to dry off without heating up .That IR heat bulb not so good , be Very Careful with it. Rather see a flood halogen type , even an incandescent type bulb.UVB you said yes T8 type at 11.8" ok.

Looks the only Big problem is the diet !!! Stop over feeding , you must get use to the begging. In the wild turtles never know where the next meal is coming from and just keep eating. In captivity it's our job to offer correct diet !

OH , that head size or 2/3's head size is for all day NOT at each feeding if you do it twice a day divide that amount in half for each. Babies yes feed twice a day but your turtle no // needs "once" a day feedings.

Turtle are so cute and different when babies but most do not realize it's one of the hardiest pet's to raise to adulthood and not cheap at all. You thought lots of homework in school , just wait , you will become a lighting specialist , ecologist for habitats , hydrologist for the water , herpetology , dietition , mechanical engineer , and even a safety tech. That's just a few thing off the top of my head there's more to learn if you want this hobby.

And it's All Very Much Worth it !

Just saw that other pic , need's a very good shed ! First photo was better for the overfeeding , this one he's dryer see more. May want to clean him up just a little with a very soft toothbrush (kids type) and warm water even a small amount of white distilled vinegar will help clean him up some. Then you could see better and always take a picture when total dry .

Any pic's of setup ? Also whats the water like by you hard or soft ?

One thing I do , not most people but "ME" is monthly when I do Full Maintenance I give Piggley a betadine wash on his shell. It's (OTC) and used as a surgical scrub but I find it help's prevent infection. Put it on a dry shell when I start maintenance let it dry well while in another container then rinse it off all good back in his cleaned tank. Clean shell / clean tank ! Works for me prevention is key.

Steve in the back of my mind I was thinking that to. First showing deformity from the pyramiding ... then second with other with issues ? Second one even the legs are not fat as in the first picture ? The growth rings are different ?

I've ordered a canister filter too. Didn't want to risk making one with the wrong stuff and poisoning or harming Bowser in any way. It's all Spanish here and I'm not fluent so don't wanna make a mistake.

I'm fairly sure the water is hard here.

Bowser doesn't really beg for food. He runs over when he sees me coming towards him to say hello now though.

As for the thermometer in using now.... I've just binned it as it was a liquid thermometer type and It's far from accurate. I have the filter pumping water over the heater and the temp is set at 26C. As I say, I'll order one next week and keep an eye on his behaviour for anything odd.

Thank you so much for your help guys I really appreciate it. I'll get him sorted and happy as Larry. I feel stupid for just taking the guy in the pet shops word for how to care for him and not researching it myself. I don't normally do that when I start a new thing.